FC Pirin Blagoevgrad
Encyclopedia
FC Pirin Blagoevgrad is a Bulgaria
n football club from the town of Blagoevgrad
, which currently competes in the Bulgarian fourth division.
The club was founded in 2008, after the union of the two clubs from Blagoevgrad
- Pirin and PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad
. The new club is the historical successor of the original and traditional club records of the former FC Pirin which was founded in 1922.
The club's home ground is the Hristo Botev Stadium
in Blagoevgrad
with a seating capacity of 11,000, which is planned to be expanded until the winter break of the 2010/11 season by making completely new all-seater east stand.
and one participation in the Cup Winners' Cup
. The club's first participation in the UEFA
tournaments was not promising. In 1985, Pirin faced the then reigning Swedish champion Hammarby IF
. The first game in Blagoevgrad
, ended with a 1-3 loss. The second game in Sweden
was also a defeat - 0-4 and Pirin were out of the European competitions. Pirin's best season in the Bulgarian top division was in the 1984-85 season - 5th place. The club was also two times runner-up of the Cup of Bulgaria
. Also, Pirin's youth academy is attributed as being one of the best developers of young and unknown players in Bulgaria
. Among the club's famous players are Dimitar Berbatov
, Spas Delev
, Petar Mihtarski
, Ivaylo Andonov
, Ivan Cvetkov, Vladislav Zlatinov
and Petar Zlatinov
.
On August 18, 2006, after failing to arrange some debts and signals of corruption, Pirin was thrown out of the A PFG, the team's results for the season were annulled, and the club was demoted to play in the Bulgarian South-West V AFG
. However, after two years, Pirin won the South-West V AFG and the club returned for the upcoming season of the Western B PFG.
, which played in A PFG. The new club was named FC Pirin Blagoevgrad and is officially the rightful holder of the club records of the former Pirin, which has played more than 20 seasons in the top flight. FC Pirin's Western B PFG place was taken by FC Bansko
.
Then Nikolay Galchev appointed for manager the legend of the club Petar Mihtarski
. A few months later, the successes came nearby and Pirin qualified for the final of the Bulgarian Cup
(the team defeated CSKA Sofia and Levski Sofia). However, the final of the cup was lost by the eagles with 0-3 from Litex Lovech.
:
Bulgarian Cup
:
For recent transfers, see List of Bulgarian football transfers summer 2011.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n football club from the town of Blagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad is а city in southwestern Bulgaria, the administrative centre of Blagoevgrad Province, with a population of about 74,302 . It lies on the banks of the Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River....
, which currently competes in the Bulgarian fourth division.
The club was founded in 2008, after the union of the two clubs from Blagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad is а city in southwestern Bulgaria, the administrative centre of Blagoevgrad Province, with a population of about 74,302 . It lies on the banks of the Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River....
- Pirin and PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad
PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad
PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad was a Bulgarian professional football club based in Blagoevgrad.Club was founded in 1931 as Makedonska Slava . In 1948 the club joined the newly established FD Julius Dermendzhiev and cease its independent existence...
. The new club is the historical successor of the original and traditional club records of the former FC Pirin which was founded in 1922.
The club's home ground is the Hristo Botev Stadium
Hristo Botev Stadium (Blagoevgrad)
Hristo Botev Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, located in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. It is used for football matches and is the home ground of the local PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad. The stadium holds 11,000 spectators and it is currently being expanded to 18,000 people. Also, as of 2009, the stadium is...
in Blagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad is а city in southwestern Bulgaria, the administrative centre of Blagoevgrad Province, with a population of about 74,302 . It lies on the banks of the Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River....
with a seating capacity of 11,000, which is planned to be expanded until the winter break of the 2010/11 season by making completely new all-seater east stand.
Pirin
The club was founded in 1922. Pirin has played more than 20 seasons in the top flight and has played two times in the European football competitions - one participation in the UEFA CupUEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
and one participation in the Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
. The club's first participation in the UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
tournaments was not promising. In 1985, Pirin faced the then reigning Swedish champion Hammarby IF
Hammarby IF
Hammarby Fotboll is a Swedish football club based in Johanneshov - just south of Södermalm, the southernmost district of Stockholm city centre...
. The first game in Blagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad is а city in southwestern Bulgaria, the administrative centre of Blagoevgrad Province, with a population of about 74,302 . It lies on the banks of the Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River....
, ended with a 1-3 loss. The second game in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
was also a defeat - 0-4 and Pirin were out of the European competitions. Pirin's best season in the Bulgarian top division was in the 1984-85 season - 5th place. The club was also two times runner-up of the Cup of Bulgaria
Bulgarian Cup
The Bulgarian Cup is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank....
. Also, Pirin's youth academy is attributed as being one of the best developers of young and unknown players in Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
. Among the club's famous players are Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
, Spas Delev
Spas Delev
Spas Delev is a Bulgarian footballer who currently plays for CSKA Sofia and the Bulgarian national football team as a striker.-Youth career:...
, Petar Mihtarski
Petar Mihtarski
Petar Sotirov Mihtarski is a retired Bulgarian footballer who played as a striker.-Club career:Born in Blagoevgrad, Mihtarski spent the first 13 years of his career with local FC Pirin, making his first-team - and first division - debuts in 1982–83, appearing in eight games and scoring four goals...
, Ivaylo Andonov
Ivaylo Andonov
Ivaylo Viktorov Andonov is a former Bulgarian footballer, who played as a striker.-Football career:After beginning professionally with hometown's PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad, Andonov made a name for himself at CSKA Sofia, constantly being one of the first division topscorers, while also being...
, Ivan Cvetkov, Vladislav Zlatinov
Vladislav Zlatinov
Vladislav Zlatinov is a Bulgarian football player, currently playing for Beroe Stara Zagora as a striker.*Height - 1.77 m.*Weight - 73 kg.-Career:...
and Petar Zlatinov
Petar Zlatinov
Petar Zlatinov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Inter Baku as a midfielder.He is left attacking midfielder. Petar started his career in his home town Blagoevgrad, playing for Pirin. Just 18 years old, Zlatinov signed with CSKA Sofia. Between 2003 and 2005 he played for the...
.
Bulgarian South-West V AFG
Bulgarian V AFG is the third division of the Bulgarian football. While first and second are professional, third division is on an amateur level...
. However, after two years, Pirin won the South-West V AFG and the club returned for the upcoming season of the Western B PFG.
The Union
In December, 2008, Pirin ,which played in the Western B PFG merged with PFC Pirin BlagoevgradPFC Pirin Blagoevgrad
PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad was a Bulgarian professional football club based in Blagoevgrad.Club was founded in 1931 as Makedonska Slava . In 1948 the club joined the newly established FD Julius Dermendzhiev and cease its independent existence...
, which played in A PFG. The new club was named FC Pirin Blagoevgrad and is officially the rightful holder of the club records of the former Pirin, which has played more than 20 seasons in the top flight. FC Pirin's Western B PFG place was taken by FC Bansko
FC Bansko
FC Bansko is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Bansko, currently playing in the West B PFG, the second division of Bulgarian football. Its home matches take place at the Saint Petar Stadium....
.
Then Nikolay Galchev appointed for manager the legend of the club Petar Mihtarski
Petar Mihtarski
Petar Sotirov Mihtarski is a retired Bulgarian footballer who played as a striker.-Club career:Born in Blagoevgrad, Mihtarski spent the first 13 years of his career with local FC Pirin, making his first-team - and first division - debuts in 1982–83, appearing in eight games and scoring four goals...
. A few months later, the successes came nearby and Pirin qualified for the final of the Bulgarian Cup
Bulgarian Cup
The Bulgarian Cup is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank....
(the team defeated CSKA Sofia and Levski Sofia). However, the final of the cup was lost by the eagles with 0-3 from Litex Lovech.
Colours
Currently, the team's home kit is green and the away kit is white. Various combinations of green and white have been used throughout the club's history.Domestic
Bulgarian A PFGBulgarian A Professional Football Group
The Bulgarian A Professional Football Group commonly known as A PFG is the top division of the Bulgarian football league system. The league is sponsored by Victoria FATA Insurance and therefore is officially known as Victoria A Football Group since 2011...
:
- 5th place (1): 1985
Bulgarian Cup
Bulgarian Cup
The Bulgarian Cup is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank....
:
- Runner-up (3): 1992, 1994, 2009
European
| Season | Competition | Round | Country | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985/86 UEFA Cup 1985-86 The UEFA Cup 1985-86 was won by Real Madrid on aggregate over 1. FC Köln. English clubs were banned from European football competitions for five years, with Liverpool, who had already won the UEFA Cup twice, banned for six years... |
UEFA Cup UEFA Cup The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League... |
1 |  |
Hammarby IF Hammarby IF Hammarby Fotboll is a Swedish football club based in Johanneshov - just south of Södermalm, the southernmost district of Stockholm city centre... |
1-3 | 0-4 | 1-7 |
| 1994/95 | Cup Winners' Cup UEFA Cup Winners' Cup The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but... |
QR |  |
FC Schaan FC Schaan FC Schaan is a Liechtensteiner football team that plays in Schaan. The reserve team is called Schaan Azzurri. It is one of the seven official teams in the nation and it plays in the Swiss Football League in 2. Liga, which is the fifth tier. The team annually competes in the Liechtensteiner Cup... |
3-0 | 1-0 | 4-0 |
| 1 |  |
Panathinaikos FC Panathinaikos FC Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most... |
0-2 | 1-6 | 1-8 | ||
Current squad
As of February 1, 2011For recent transfers, see List of Bulgarian football transfers summer 2011.
Notable players
| Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... Stanislav Manolev Stanislav Manolev Stanislav Manolev is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for PSV Eindhoven as a right-back/midfielder.-Pirin 1922:Manolev started to play football in Makedonska Slava. After two seasons club renamed to Pirin 1922.-Litex Lovech:... Ivan Cvetkov Iliyan Mitsanski Ilijan Micanski Iliyan Mitsanski is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a striker for 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the Fußball-Bundesliga.-In Bulgaria:... Petar Mihtarski Petar Mihtarski Petar Sotirov Mihtarski is a retired Bulgarian footballer who played as a striker.-Club career:Born in Blagoevgrad, Mihtarski spent the first 13 years of his career with local FC Pirin, making his first-team - and first division - debuts in 1982–83, appearing in eight games and scoring four goals... Ivaylo Andonov Ivaylo Andonov Ivaylo Viktorov Andonov is a former Bulgarian footballer, who played as a striker.-Football career:After beginning professionally with hometown's PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad, Andonov made a name for himself at CSKA Sofia, constantly being one of the first division topscorers, while also being... Petar Zlatinov Petar Zlatinov Petar Zlatinov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Inter Baku as a midfielder.He is left attacking midfielder. Petar started his career in his home town Blagoevgrad, playing for Pirin. Just 18 years old, Zlatinov signed with CSKA Sofia. Between 2003 and 2005 he played for the... Stoycho Stoilov Stoycho Stoilov Stoycho Stoilov is a retired Bulgarian football midfielder. He is currently employed as the technical director of Litex Lovech.... Yordan Bozdanski Yordan Bozdanski Yordan Bozdanski is a Bulgarian former football player and the current football manager of Pirin Blagoevgrad.-Career:Born in Blagoevgrad, Yordan Bozdanski played in his career for Pirin Blagoevgrad, Vihren Sandanski, Pirin Gotse Delchev, Septemvri Simitli, Greek Ethnikos Piraeus, Spanish UD Las... Georgi Bachev Georgi Bachev Georgi Bachev is a Bulgarian former football player and currently manager.He played for a few clubs, including Slavia Sofia, Levski Sofia and Vihren Sandanski.... Kostadin Gerganchev Miroslav Mitev Krum Bibishkov Krum Bibishkov Krum Bibishkov is a Bulgarian football forward, who currently plays for Minyor Pernik.-Career:... |
Elin Topuzakov Elin Topuzakov Elin Topuzakov is a Bulgarian football defender who is currently playing for Hapoel Ramat Gan. He is nicknamed Topcho . He is a sweeper or center back. Topuzakov also used to be a regular start-up for the Bulgarian national football team.-Youth career:Elin developed his abilities in F.C.... Kostadin Hazurov Kostadin Hazurov Kostadin Hazurov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a striker for Bnei Sakhnin.Kostadin has a cousin that also is a footballer - the forward on Pirin Blagoevgrad Borislav Hazurov.-Career:... Vladislav Zlatinov Vladislav Zlatinov Vladislav Zlatinov is a Bulgarian football player, currently playing for Beroe Stara Zagora as a striker.*Height - 1.77 m.*Weight - 73 kg.-Career:... Yordan Yurukov Yordan Yurukov Yordan Yurukov is a Bulgarian footballer, who currently plays for Slavia Sofia as a midfielder.-Pirin & CSKA:Yurukov started his professional career at Pirin 1922. On 13 November 2004 he scored three goals against Dorostol Silistra in a match from Bulgarian second division.In January, 2005,... Ilko Pirgov Ilko Pirgov Ilko Pirgov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Cherno More Varna as a goalkeeper.Pirgov is an ex-Pirin Blagoevgrad player, where he played from 2002. He moved to PFC CSKA Sofia in 2005.... Borislav Hazurov Borislav Hazurov Borislav Hazurov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Atromitos Yeroskipou as a striker.Hazurov previously played for Pirin Blagoevgrad, Litex Lovech, Marek Dupnitsa, Lokomotiv Mezdra and Bansko.... Ivan Ivanov Ivan Ivanov (footballer) Ivan Ivanov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Serbian club FK Partizan Belgrade. He is a centre-back who started his career playing as a left-back.-Early career:... Evgeni Yordanov Evgeni Yordanov Evgeni Yordanov is a Bulgarian football player, currently playing for Beroe Stara Zagora as a striker.-Club: CSKA Sofia**A PFG:***Winner : 2004-05, 2007-08**Bulgarian Supercup:***Winner: 2008-External links:... Germán Pietrobon Germán Pietrobon Germán Ariel Pietrobon is an Argentine football striker, who is currently looking for a club in Kazakhstan.-Club career:... |